See Denzel and Pauletta Washington's Red Carpet Moments with Their Kids, as the Couple Celebrates 43 Years of Marriage
See Denzel and Pauletta Washington's Red Carpet Moments with Their Kids, as the Couple Celebrates 43 Years of Marriage
Stephanie SengweThu, June 25, 2026 at 11:23 AM UTC
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Denzel Washington with his familyCredit: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty
Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington's marriage has stood the test of time and when asked what the key to their union of over four decades was, Pauletta told PEOPLE, "We work at it. It's work. There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his. ... But it's the basic love that we have for each other."
The couple first met while on the set of 1977's Wilma, but they didn't really connect until a few months later, at a mutual friends party. They hit it off then and dated for several years before tying the knot in 1983.
Denzel and Pauletta welcomed their first child, son John David on July 28, 1984 before they had their daughter, Katia, who joined the family on Nov. 27, 1986. The Washingtons became a family of six when twins Malcolm and Olivia arrived on April 10, 1991.
As the long-term couple celebrates their 43rd wedding anniversary on June 25, 2026, see some of their public outings with their four children over the years.
01 of 19
Back in the Day
Pauletta Washington, Denzel Washington and daughterCredit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Denzel and Pauletta brought baby Katia to the circus in Inglewood, Calif. in 1990.
02 of 19
Two Cool Dudes
Credit: Ron Galella/Getty
At the same event, son John David was a mini-me of his old man with their side-by-side sodas and matching expressions.
03 of 19
A Family Affair
Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington and familyCredit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
The Washingtons brought out the entire crew — including Denzel's mother, Lennis — to his hand-and-footprint ceremony at Mann's Chinese Theater in L.A. in 1998.
04 of 19
Dad and Me
Denzel Washington and his daughter, KatiaCredit: Al Pereira/Getty
Denzel and Katia were snapped in a tender moment as they exited a New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks game in New Jersey in 2004.
05 of 19
Watch Out Now
Malcolm Washington, Denzel Washington and Pauletta WashingtonCredit: Noel Vasquez/WireImage
Denzel and Pauletta had a playful moment with son Malcom while at the Carousel of Hope Ball in 2008.
06 of 19
Two of a Kind
Olivia Washington and Pauletta WashingtonCredit: DAVID CROTTY/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Pauletta and Olivia had mirror-image smiles at the Tisch School Summer Soirée in 2009.
07 of 19
Night at the Globes
Denzel Washington and Olivia WashingtonCredit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty
Olivia looked radiant, joining her dad on the red carpet at the 2013 Golden Globes.
08 of 19
Ready for His Close Up
Denzel and Pauletta Washington with their familyCredit: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty
The entire family — sans Malcolm, who was working on his thesis at AFI that night — was beaming with pride as their patriarch was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2016.
09 of 19
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Good Sports
Denzel Washington and son John David WashingtonCredit: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Denzel and John David had a father-son date at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs in 2018.
10 of 19
Four Is Company
Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington, and Denzel WashingtonCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Denzel and Pauletta posed with Malcolm and Katia ahead of the Oscar winning actor accepting the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019.
11 of 19
Proud Moments
Denzel and John David WashingtonCredit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Denzel was quite the proud dad as he posed with John David after his performance in The Piano Lesson on Broadway in 2022.
12 of 19
Playing Around
Pauletta Washington, John David Washington and Denzel WashingtonCredit: Paras Griffin/Getty I
Denzel delivered a playful punch as he, Pauletta and John David attended the 36th Annual Morehouse College "A Candle in the Dark" gala in 2024.
13 of 19
Courtside Crew
Pauletta Washington and Malcolm WashingtonCredit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Malcolm and Pauletta enjoyed a mother-son outing at the Crypto.com Arena, where they caught a Lakers vs. Warriors face-off in 2024.
14 of 19
By Your Side
Denzel Washington with son MalcolmCredit: Presley Ann/Getty
Malcolm made his directorial debut with a filmed adaptation of The Piano Lesson in 2024. It starred his brother John David (along with Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler and others) and his proud pops served as a producer, joining him at a screening in L.A. that year.
15 of 19
The Washington Boys
Denzel Washington with sons Malcolm and John DavidCredit: Dave Benett/Getty
Denzel and his sons posed for a picture during The Piano Lesson screening at Ham Yard Hotel in London back in 2024. John David recreated the role of Boy Willie, which he played on Broadway, for the film.
16 of 19
Trip to Telluride
Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington and John David WashingtonCredit: Vivien Killilea/Getty
Denzel and Olivia were the only ones missing in action when the rest of the Washington crew took the film to the Telluride Film Festival in August 2024.
17 of 19
Embracing the Classics
Pauletta Washington with her kidsCredit: Valerie Terranova/Getty
In March 2025, Olivia, Pauletta and John David as well as Katia and her wife, Colleen Wilson, showed up to support Denzel as he took on the role of Othello on Broadway.
18 of 19
Highest Honors
Pauletta Washington, Denzel Washington, Olivia Washington and LaTanya Richardson JacksonCredit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Pauletta, Denzel Washington and Olivia were joined by long-time family friend LaTanya Richardson Jackson during a ceremony honoring Denzel for his performance in Othello at Sardi's.
19 of 19
Just Photogenic
Denzel and Pauletta Washington with their kidsCredit: Bruce Glikas/Getty
The ultra-photogenic family got together for another night at the theatre. The family of six posed on the red carpet as they attended the opening night of Alice Childress' play Wine in the Wilderness in March 2025.
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